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Sep 29, 2023
It's Meter Reading Week!
So for the 90% of English, Scottish and Welsh homes on a price-capped tariff (more or less everyone who isn't on a fixed rate), in simple terms, for every £100 you're currently paying, you'll pay roughly £93 from Sunday 1st October 2023. This doesn't apply to those with a working smart meter, but if you don't have a smart meter, or it doesn't work, we suggest taking a meter reading within a few days either side of the rate change to reduce the risk of your supplier estimating you've used more at the higher rate than you actually have. Take a picture of the meter for extra peace of mind!
Sep 25, 2023
Energy efficiency deadlines scrapped for landlords and homeowners
Energy efficiency to be incentivised not mandated as energy efficiency deadlines scrapped for landlords and homeowners. Policies to force landlords to upgrade the EPC rating of their properties have been ruled out, although the UK Government will continue to encourage improvements. This provides some relief to hard-pressed landlords who have been worried by the potential investment needed to at a time when budgets are squeezed for everyone. For more details: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/resource/energy-efficiency-deadlines-scrapped-for-landlords-and-homeowners.html #greatmissenden #estateagentuk #chilternhillsproperty #marketnews #energyperformanceuk
Sep 15, 2023
LANDLORDS AND AGENTS CAN ACCESS GREATER LEVELS OF FUNDING TO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR PROPERTY
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), has announced a £50 million fund to help older and disabled people in England, make adaptations to enable them to continue to live independently in their own homes. The additional funding will be available as adaptation grants from local authorities and is open to people living in the Private Rented, social housing, and owner-occupied sector. Where required and appropriate, this is an opportunity for agents to signpost landlords and tenants towards the funding. Agents and landlords can access the funding from the local authority Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), providing they have a tenant living in the property that requires the adaptation. Currently, DFG’s can be used to fund up to £30,000 towards adaptation in England. https://www.propertymark.co.uk/resource/funding-to-improve-the-accessibility-of-prs-property.html 12th September 2023
Feb 9, 2022
IS YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER?
Selling your home can feel daunting particularly if it is your first time or your first time in a while but with a bit of preparation, you can clear some of the hurdles that lead to delays and be buyer-ready from the off. Our top preparation tips are 1) choosing the right agent and 2) checking you have all the documents you need: 1) Choosing the right agent can greatly reduce the stress involved in selling your home. We recommend getting a valuation from at least two agents and consider some key questions before instructing them: How experienced is the agent in your local area? Are they well established with a good track record in selling similar or similarly priced homes where you are and know the area well? Do you want to work with them? Rapport is important in the vendor/agent relationship so make sure you understand how they will be selling your home and when you expect to hear from them. What are their fees and what’s included in the fee offer? What else will you have to pay for? Remember, your final pot of money is the sold house price minus agency fee (not forgetting solicitors fee, stamp duty and removal fees too!). Is the agent experienced in conveyancing and able to guide you through from offer to a successful sale? When selling your home, an agent is acting on your behalf with your best interests in mind and not those of the buyer. Pick an agent that you feel will be able to represent you. 2) There will be a detailed property information form that any agent will ask you to complete to give would-be buyers clear information on your home. Some key documents to have on hand are: HM Land Registry title documents Gas checks completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer (or Corgi-registered engineer prior to 2009) Electrical checks – an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or a NAPIT or NICEIC certificate/report from a registered electrical competent person FENSA or CERTAS certificates for windows Planning permission for any major work carried out Building regulation completion certificates and builder’s guarantee certificates for alterations or additions Subsidence guarantees/warranties Damp guarantees/warranties Party wall agreements (if relevant) If a listed building, listed building consent for interior and exterior works If your home is in a conservation area, conservation area consent for works Any title insurance policies you may have taken out to solve title defects If you don’t have all this information, don’t panic! An experienced agent will be able to you source information and navigate the sales process. Jeremy Swan Estate Agents have been based in Great Missenden and the Chilterns for over fifteen years with a small but dedicated team committed to exceptional customer service. We are expert in matching buyers and sellers and embedded in the local community. If you would like us to value your home, please give us a call on 01494 890990 or pop into our office located on Great Missenden High Street to meet the team who would welcome the opportunity to work with you to sell your home.
Sep 24, 2020
TOP 10 TIPS FOR SELLERS
You only get one chance to make a first impression! When it comes to selling your home, attention to detail could be pivotal in securing an early sale at the best possible price. Most buyers have a good idea of their preferred location, minimum accommodation needs and ideal style of property. Yet it is often presentation that makes the greatest difference. A well presented property not only looks more attractive, but also suggests that the owners have cared for it and regard it as their home. So here are a few tips that we hope sellers might find useful: A new coat of paint on the front door gives a great first impression. A tidy property suggests that storage space is not a problem, so make a point of clearing away any unnecessary clothes, toys,magazines, crockery, etc.You never know when you might have a viewing. Go through your house and donate anything you no longer need to charity. Have the carpets professionally cleaned. Check that the grouting/sealant in the bathroom is not discoloured. Make sure all of the lights work and the house is well lit - even during the day. Avoid hanging too much on the back of doors. Overcrowded hooks prevent doors from opening fully, making rooms look smaller. Keep the windows sparkling clean, inside and out. Ensure the garden is tidy, lawn mown, leaves cleared away, beds attractive. Screen off any unsightly areas and keep the car clean as well. Check and repair any dripping taps, leaking gutters, squeaking hinges etc Happy Selling!